Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Sep 21/05) - Three family members completed the trip of a lifetime to Arctic Bay from Rankin Inlet this past month.

Andy Eecherk had promised his dad he would pass along the family boat to his brother, Leo Eecherk, after he'd used it for a few years.

Andy Eecherk of Rankin Inlet displays the souvenir of his trip to Arctic Bay with his son, Randy, and his brother, Leo. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Andy had the boat for about seven years when he decided it was Leo's turn.

After talking about it for a year, the brothers decided to make the passing of the boat a memorable one by sailing it to Arctic Bay.

Andy's son, Randy, also decided to make the trip and, on Aug. 8, the three departed Rankin with a cousin for Whale Cove.

In Whale, they dropped off one cousin and picked up another for the next leg of the trip to Repulse Bay.

After a four-day wait in Repulse due to an electrical problem, they headed south through the ice to Hall Beach.

Once at Hall Beach, bad weather held them up for another two days before their final run to Arctic Bay.

Although many didn't think they would make it, the Eecherks arrived in Arctic Bay on Aug. 21.

Andy knew the trip wasn't going to be easy as they were planning it.

"There's old ice between Repulse and Hall Beach that never goes away," said Andy.

"And there's another spot just past Iglulik with continuous ice and strong currents in parts of the strait.

"The ice is moving there all the time and it's difficult to get through, but we were able to make it."

Andy said the scenery was awesome and the three saw all kinds of wildlife.

He said the most incredible sight was watching two bowhead whales feed from only 15 metres away.

But, while that may have been the most inspiring sight, it certainly wasn't the most thrilling.

The group found themselves on a little island, waiting for the tide to change.

As Andy worked on the motor, Randy relaxed with some music while Leo went up a small hill to check on the ice conditions ahead.

"Suddenly Randy was yelling about two bears looking at us, only nine metres away.

"We had shotgun shells used to scare polar bears away, so I fired one to see how they would react.

"It gave off a bang and the bears took off, but they ran right past my brother.

"The bears were so scared they didn't even see Leo, but he sure saw them.

"He was back at the boat in less than a minute."